Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite
Abstract Light-responsive polymers and especially amorphous azopolymers with intrinsic anisotropic and polarization-dependent deformation photo-response hold great promises for remotely controlled, tunable devices. However, dynamic control requires reversibility characteristics far beyond what is cu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42590-y |
| _version_ | 1797647253833252864 |
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| author | David Urban Niccolò Marcucci Christoph Hubertus Wölfle Jan Torgersen Dag Roar Hjelme Emiliano Descrovi |
| author_facet | David Urban Niccolò Marcucci Christoph Hubertus Wölfle Jan Torgersen Dag Roar Hjelme Emiliano Descrovi |
| author_sort | David Urban |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Light-responsive polymers and especially amorphous azopolymers with intrinsic anisotropic and polarization-dependent deformation photo-response hold great promises for remotely controlled, tunable devices. However, dynamic control requires reversibility characteristics far beyond what is currently obtainable via plastic deformation of such polymers. Here, we embed azopolymer microparticles in a rubbery elastic matrix at high density. In the resulting composite, cumulative deformations are replaced by reversible shape switching – with two reversible degrees of freedom defined uniquely by the writing beam polarization. We quantify the locally induced strains, including small creeping losses, directly by means of a deformation tracking algorithm acting on microscope images of planar substrates. Further, we introduce free-standing 3D actuators able to smoothly undergo multiple configurational changes, including twisting, roll-in, grabbing-like actuation, and even continuous, pivot-less shape rotation, all dictated by a single wavelength laser beam with controlled polarization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:13:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c552562f40b42ab86ccd3ee54657478 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:13:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c552562f40b42ab86ccd3ee546574782023-10-29T12:29:21ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232023-10-0114111210.1038/s41467-023-42590-yPolarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer compositeDavid Urban0Niccolò Marcucci1Christoph Hubertus Wölfle2Jan Torgersen3Dag Roar Hjelme4Emiliano Descrovi5Department of Electronic Systems, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyDipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di TorinoInstitute of Materials Science, Department of Materials Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of MunichInstitute of Materials Science, Department of Materials Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Electronic Systems, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyDipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di TorinoAbstract Light-responsive polymers and especially amorphous azopolymers with intrinsic anisotropic and polarization-dependent deformation photo-response hold great promises for remotely controlled, tunable devices. However, dynamic control requires reversibility characteristics far beyond what is currently obtainable via plastic deformation of such polymers. Here, we embed azopolymer microparticles in a rubbery elastic matrix at high density. In the resulting composite, cumulative deformations are replaced by reversible shape switching – with two reversible degrees of freedom defined uniquely by the writing beam polarization. We quantify the locally induced strains, including small creeping losses, directly by means of a deformation tracking algorithm acting on microscope images of planar substrates. Further, we introduce free-standing 3D actuators able to smoothly undergo multiple configurational changes, including twisting, roll-in, grabbing-like actuation, and even continuous, pivot-less shape rotation, all dictated by a single wavelength laser beam with controlled polarization.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42590-y |
| spellingShingle | David Urban Niccolò Marcucci Christoph Hubertus Wölfle Jan Torgersen Dag Roar Hjelme Emiliano Descrovi Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite Nature Communications |
| title | Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite |
| title_full | Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite |
| title_fullStr | Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite |
| title_full_unstemmed | Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite |
| title_short | Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite |
| title_sort | polarization driven reversible actuation in a photo responsive polymer composite |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42590-y |
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